Portable lecturn unit

ABSTRACT

A portable lecturn consisting of a hinged lecturn platform support constructed and arranged to be locked into the latching mechanism of an open hinged container such as an attache case, whereby a rigid, box-like housing affording access to sound receiving and transmitting equipment therewithin and mounting a microphone stand assembly is provided. When not in use, the hinged platform-support folds and is stored within the case along with the microphone stand assembly and the sound receiving and transmitting equipment.

P'A'TENIEDAums 1912' 3.684.831

INVENTOR. RICHARD K. FULLMER 67 flemazea ATTORNEY PORTABLE LECTURN UNITBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to lecturns or stands such as are commonly used by publicspeakers. It is particularly concerned with portable type lecturns andwith lecturns having a built-in means for voice reception, amplificationand transmission.

There is presently a growing need for a mobile lecturn that islightweight, attractive in appearance and easily transported and whichwill provide astable platform for use by a speaker. There is also adefinite need in many of the cases where such a mobile lecturn is neededfor a means to effectively amplify the speaking voice of a publicspeaker using the lecturn and of participants in the audience.

It is well recognized that in our fast moving society, it is becomingincreasingly important to properly communicate. The need forcommunication is today found in places where facilities forcommunication are absent. The college president addressing anassembledbody of students, the businessman addressing a luncheon group in arestaurant or many other persons required to address public gatheringsin situations where proper speaker facilities are not normallyavailable, are typical of those for whom a mobile lecturn withself-contained voice, reception, amplification and transmissionequipment is highly useful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a unit that can be easily and compactly stored and transportedin an attractive housing and that can be readily set up for use as aspeakers lecturn.

Another object is to provide such a unit with a housing containing anelectrical signal reception and trans mission unit arranged to be easilycontrolled by a speaker using the set-up lecturn.

The present invention utilizes conveniently available components in anovel and unique assembly. The preferred embodiment utilizes a standardattached type carrying case as a storage and carrying housing and as alecturn base; a solid state electrical signal reception and transmissionunit for amplification; a dismountable microphone assembly arranged tobe electrically coupled to the reception and transmission unit and toextend upwardly from the opened housing lid during use and to be storedwithin the housing when not in use; a portable,.cordless microphone foruse by audience participants and arranged for storage within thehousing; and a platform-support comprising two pieces of lightweightwood, pressed board, plastic, or the like which are hinged together andwhich have attachment means at their outer edges to be coupled with thelatching assemblies mounted on the top and bottom parts of the housing.In one preferred form of the invention the platform-support has hooks onan edge of the platform portion to slide under latch catch assembliesprovided on the lip of the lid of the housing used. Hooks are providedon an outer edge of the support portion of the platform-support to beinserted downwardly into a latching mechanism on the upstanding lip ofthe bottom part of the housing, when the bottom part is being used as asupport base. The platformsupport, when not in use, can be stored withinthe housing but it can be rapidly assembled for use when needed.Remotely positioned speaker units can be connected by wires, pluggedinto receptacles in the unit for voice reception and transmission. Powercan either be supplied from an external source or the unit can be selfcontained. The entire assembly presents a versatile solution to problemsfrequently encountered in public speaking and public communication.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description and claims, taken together with theaccompanying drawings.

THE DRAWINGS In the drawings FIG. I is a perspective view of a preferredembodiment of the invention set up for use as a speakers lecturn;

FIG. 2, a perspective view of the platform-support of the invention andshowing the hooks which are adapted to be connected to the lockingmechanism on the bottom of the housing;

FIG. 3, a similar view of the platform-support, but turned to show thepins which fit under the latching hooks on the lid of the housing;

FIG. 4, a fragmentary perspective view showing how the platform-supportis locked into the bottom of the housing;

FIG. 5, a view like FIG. 4, but showing how the pins of theplatform-support engage the latching hooks of the housing lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings In the illustratedpreferred embodiment the portable lecturn unit of the invention, showngenerally at 10, includes a housing 11 made up of a top 11a that isconnected by a hinge 11b to a bottom 11c. Conveniently, the housing maybe of attache case style, and a case currently produced and sold by theSamsonite Corporation under the tradename Samsonite has been foundideally suited for the purpose. However, other housings can also beused.

A platform-support, shown generally at 12, is made up of a platformportion 12a and a support portion 12b, interconnected by a hinge 14. Thehinge 14 is mounted such that one edge of support portion 12a abuts thesupport portion adjacent to, but not at, one edge thereof. Thus, whenthe platform-support is in use as a lecturn an upstanding lip 12c isprovided to hold materials in place on the platform portion. Thisarrangement also limits rotation of the platform portion 12a from aposition flat against support portion 12b to an essentiallynormalposition with respect to the support portion, as shown in FIG. 1.The dimensions of the platform-support are such that it will fit withinthe top 1 la when the platform portion and the support portion arepivoted about the hinge 14 to be in face to face relationship.

As shown, the housing has a latching mechanism comprising a pair ofspaced oppositely directed hooks l5 and 16 projecting from the lip ofthe top remote from hinge 11b and respectively arranged to project intoopenings 17 and 18 in the lip of bottom remote from hinge 11b when thetop is closed against the bottom.

Sliding bars 19 and 20, operated by pivoted levers 21 and 22,respectively slide to positions above the hooks and 16 to hold the hooksin place in openings 17 and 18 and thereby holding the lid closed. Thelatching mechanism also includes springs to move the levers quicklybetween latched and unlatched positions, but the mechanisms areconventional and are not detailed here. The latching mechanism used onthe aforementioned Samsonite attached type cases has been found to bevery satisfactory, but others can be used, if desired.

The platform portion 12a has projections 23 and 24 spaced along its edgethat is opposite hinge l4 and extending upwardly from the face oppositesupport portion 12b, when the portions are in face to face relationship.These projections are adapted to be inserted upwardly into the hooks 15and 16 such that a downward tilt of the platform portion, away from thelid, pulls the projections against the hooks while at the same timeforcing the edge of the platform portion remote from the hinge againstthe lip of the lid. This binding action securely holds the platformportion in place when the unit is being used. In addition, the platformportion can be supported by a projecting ridge 11d on the lip 11a.

The support portion has a pair of spaced hooks and 26, similar to thehooks 15 and 16, extending from its edge remote from hinge 14 and spacedsuch that they can be inserted into the openings 17 and 18 to be lockedtherein by operation of levers 21 and 22, in the same manner as hooks 15and 16 are locked after the lid is closed.

The length of the support portion 12b is such that when the hooks 25 and26 are locked in openings 17 and 18 the platform portion slopesdownwardly from the lid towards the hinge, so that the platform portionwill be securely held against the lid.

The usual collapsible knee braces 27, connecting the bottom and lid ateach side of the housing lock the lid in its fully opened position, withrespect to the bottom.

Support portion 12b is cut away at 28 so that when the platform-supportis in place to be used, a user can easily reach through the cut-outportion to regulate the control knobs 29 of a voice receiving andtransmitting unit shown at 30, mounted within the bottom 11c of housing1 l.

The receiving and transmitting unit shown generally at 30 comprises areceiver, amplifier and transmitter of conventional type, connected by acord 31 to a speaker 32. The speaker 32 is also adapted to fit and to bestored within the bottom 11c of housing 11 adjacent to the receiving andtransmitting unit. Similarly, when the platform support is not beingused as a lecturn, it can be conveniently folded and positioned withinthe lid 11a for storage above the voice receiving and transmitting unit30 and the speaker 32.

As illustrated, the receiving and transmitting unit is of conventionalAC powered construction. Wires 33, passed beneath a fabric 34 coveringthe interior of the housing 11 interconnect the receiving andtransmitting unit and a conventional quick disconnect coupling 35 in thelip of lid 11a. A conventional, flexible, but semirigid goose neck 36having a microphone 37 on one end, has a connector 38 on the other endadapted to be secured to coupling 35 so that an electrical connection isprovided from the microphone to the receiving and transmitting unit. Auser's voice, picked up by the microphone is thus passed to the receiverand transmitting unit, from where it is transmitted to the speaker unit,from which it is broadcast in amplified form.

While the voice receiving and transmitting unit is here shown as beingAC powered and the microphone 37, voice receiving and transmitting unitand speaker are all wire connected, it should be obvious that DC powerand/or wireless units could be used.

A pocket 40 is formed in the voice receiving and transmitting unit toreceive a portable, cordless microphone transmitter 41. The microphonetransmitter 41 is tuned to be received by the receiving and transmittingunit and it can be moved among an audience to allow for voicetransmission and broadcasting of participating audience members.

In the present invention, a system is provided wherein a user may carrya loud speaker and lecturn inconspiciously and easily, and may set themup at any desired location for use. The lecturn is sturdy and the unitis arranged such that easy access is afforded to the controls of theloudspeaker system.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has been hereindescribed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made byway of example and that variations are possible, without departing fromthe scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter, which subjectmatter I regard as my invention.

1 claim:

1. A portable lecturn unit comprising a housing having a lid portionconnected by a first hinge to a bottom portion, means for holding saidlid portion in an open position extending upwardly and substantiallynormal to the plane of the bottom portion when said bottom portion isresting on a substantially horizontal surface;

a platform-support member including a flat platform portion, a supportportion, and a second hinge interconnecting the platform portion and thesupport portion;

means for releasably securing the edge of the platform portion remotefrom the second hinge to the top of the housing at its edge most remotefrom the first hinge; and

means for releasably securing the edge of the support portion remotefrom the second hinge to the edge of the bottom portion most remote fromthe first hinge.

2. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 1, wherein the housing has latchmeans on the edge of the bottom portion opposite the first hinge andlatch means on the edge of the top portion remote from the first hinge,said latch means on the top portion being cooperable with the latchmeans on the platform portion for engaging the latch means on the topportion.

3. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 2, wherein the means forreleasably securing the edge of the support portion to the bottomportion includes means on the support portion for engaging the latchmeans on the bottom portion.

4. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 3, wherein the support portionhas an opening therethrough to provide access to the interior of thehousing.

5. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 1, further including anelectrical signal receiving and transmitting unit in the housing;

a speaker adapted to be stored in the housing and coupled to thereceiving and transmitting unit; and

a microphone adapted to be connected to the housing and to be supportedthereby, and coupled to the receiving and transmitting unit, whereby avoice picked up by the microphone is transmitted to the receiving andtransmitting unit and then is broadcast through the speaker.

6. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 5, wherein the support portion ofthe platform-support member is cutaway to provide access to the interiorof the housing and controls of the receiving and transmitting unit.

7. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 6, wherein the housing has latchmeans on the edge of the bottom portion remote from the first hinge, alatch means on the top portion being cooperable with the latch means onthe bottom portion to hold the top portion against the said bottomportion when the housing is closed; and wherein the means for releasablysecuring the edge of the platform portion to the top of the housingincludes means on the platform portion for engaging said latch means onthe top portion.

8. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 7, wherein the means forreleasably securing the edge of the support portion to the bottomportion includes means on the support portion for engaging the latchmeans on the bottom portion.

9. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 8, wherein the latch means on thelid portion and the latch means on the support portion are of similarconfiguration.

10. A portable lecturn as in claim 9, wherein the support portionextends slightly above the platform portion when the platform portion isconnected to the top portion and the support portion is connected to thebottom portion whereby the unit is ready for use as a lecturn.

1. A portable lecturn unit comprising a housing having a lid portionconnected by a first hinge to a bottom portion, means for holding saidlid portion in an open position extending upwardly and substantiallynormal to the plane of the bottom portion when said bottom portion isresting on a substantially horizontal surface; a platform-support memberincluding a flat platform portion, a support portion, and a second hingeinterconnecting the platform portion and the support portion; means forreleasably securing the edge of the platform portion remote from thesecond hinge to the top of the housing at its edge most remote from thefirst hinge; and means for releasably securing the edge of the supportportion remote from the second hinge to the edge of the bottom portionmost remote from the first hinge.
 2. A portable lecturn unit as in claim1, wherein the housing has latch means on the edge of the bottom portionopposite the first hinge and latch means on the edge of the top portionremote from the first hinge, said latch means on the top portion beingcooperable with the latch means on the platform portion for engaging thelatch means on the top portion.
 3. A portable lecturn unit as in claim2, wherein the means for releasably securing the edge of the supportportion to the bottom portion includes means on the support portion forengaging the latch means on the bottom portion.
 4. A portable lecturnunit as in claim 3, wherein the support portion has an openingtherethrough to provide access to the interior of the housing.
 5. Aportable lecturn unit as in claim 1, further including an electricalsignal receiving and transmitting unit in the housing; a speaker adaptedto be stored in the housing and coupled to the receiving andtransmitting unit; and a microphone adapted to be connected to thehousing and to be supported thereby, and coupled to the receiving andtransmitting unit, whereby a voice picked up by the microphone istransmitted to the receiving and transmitting unit and then is broadcastthrough the speaker.
 6. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 5, whereinthe support portion of the platform-support member is cut away toprovide access to the interior of the housing and controls of thereceiving and transmitting unit.
 7. A portable lecturn unit as in claim6, wherein the housing has latch means on the edge of the bottom portionremote from the first hinge, a latch means on the top portion beingcooperable with the latch means on the bottom portion to hold the topportion against the said bottom portion when the housing is closed; andwherein the means for releasably securing the edge of the platformportion to the top of the housing includes means on the platform portionfor engaging said latch means on the top portion.
 8. A portable lecturnunit as in claim 7, wherein the means for releasably securing the edgeof the support portion to the bottom portion includes means on thesupport portion for engaging the latch means on the bottom portion.
 9. Aportable lecturn unit as in claim 8, wherein the latch means on the lidportion and the latch means on the support portion are of similarconfiguration.
 10. A portable lecturn as in claim 9, wherein the supportportion extends slightly above the platform portion when the platformportion is connected to the top portion and the support portion isconnected to the bottom portion whereby the unit is ready for use as alecturn.